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Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no basis for a charge against him.
Verse Takeaways
1
A Cynical Question
Commentators overwhelmingly agree that Pilate's question, "What is truth?", was not a sincere search for knowledge. They describe it as a sneer, an expression of contempt, or irritation. He didn't wait for an answer, highlighting the tragic irony of a man dismissing the concept of truth while standing face-to-face with Jesus, who is the Truth Incarnate.
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John
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10
18th Century
Presbyterian
What is truth? This question was probably asked in contempt, and therefore Jesus did not answer it. Had the question been sincere…
What is truth? (τ εστιν αληθεια; ). This famous sneer of Pilate reveals his own ignorance of truth, as he stood before Incarnate T…
19th Century
Anglican
Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?—“‘What is truth?’ said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer.” Such is L…
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Baptist
Pilate said to him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I find in him no fault at all.
Pilate’s reply, “What is truth?” is difficult to interpret. Was it facetious, scornful, impatient, despairing, or sincere? Even from the context it…
16th Century
Protestant
What is truth? Some think that Pilate asks this question out of curiosity, as irreligious men are sometimes accustomed to eagerly desire l…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Pilate says to him, what is truth? &c.] That is, in general, or that which Christ then particularly spoke of: many things…
Are you the King of the Jews? That King of the Jews who has been so long expected? Messiah the Prince; are you he? Do you call yourself so, and wou…
13th Century
Catholic
1. Previously, the Evangelist told how Pilate examined Christ before his accusers; here, he describes how Pilate questioned him in private. …
